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Suspected drunk driver charged in death of Angels pitcher
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Suspected drunk driver charged in death of Angels pitcher
Suspected drunk driver charged in death of Angels pitcher
The suspected drunk driver accused of the car wreck that killed Angel pitcher Nick Adenhart is now facing three counts of murder - plus other DUI-related charges. KPCC's Susan Valot says the Orange County District Attorney made the announcement in Santa Ana this afternoon.
Susan Valot: Investigators say 22-year-old Andrew Gallo's blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit when he ran a red light and slammed into the car carrying Nick Adenhart.
The crash killed the Angel rookie and two other people, and left one of Adenhart's friends in the hospital. Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas says his prosecutors have opted to go with murder instead of manslaughter charges.
Tony Rackauckas: The foundation for the murder charge is "implied malice." And "implied malice" would be just generally defined as doing an inherently dangerous act with a conscious disregard for the welfare and safety of other people, or disregard for the life of others.
Valot: Rackauckas says Gallo was driving on a suspended license after a previous DUI conviction – and had been ordered to complete an alcohol education program. Police say Gallo was traveling 65 miles an hour in a 35-mile-an-hour zone. Fullerton Police Lieutenant Kevin Hamilton says Gallo was interrogated for several hours.
Kevin Hamilton: I watched the interrogation and it was just very matter-of-fact conversation. I didn't, I wasn't watching the entire interrogation, so I didn't see him break down and cry or apologize or anything like that.
Valot: Andrew Gallo is due to answer the charges in court in Santa Ana Monday.
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